omak

I don't stop and turn anything - - just too much work! ... one of my solutions was to turn the quilt sideways when loading it up ... and, I make sure that I am loading the right side of the quilt, rather than the left side ... The reason for that (in my thinking) is that we usually read from left to right ... with a design that is "narrow", (speaking of stippling most specifically) the eye becomes "confused" by having to read across lines of quilting that are going up and down, so the brain says the quilting is more complicated than it really is ... (if that makes sense <g>) ... anyway, by doing it sideways, I have less in the throat of my machine, also.
And, another thing I have started doing is really racking down the tension on the layers ... that tightens what is in the throat of the machine, so I can get further, longer.
Yes, it is a hassle stopping every four inches or so to advance the quilt ... but, at least I can look forward to a mid arm machine with the Grace Pinnacle ... although, consider this!
The frame is $1000 or more of the price of a quilting set up - - so ... if I were to replace my system, I would replace the whole thing - - cheaper and more efficient than just buying a new machine.
however, we shall see what I am saying in a year or two ... either way, if I never change my system or get a bigger machine, right now, what I am dealing with is better, faster, and more efficient than sitting at a table and wrestling with quilt bulk <wave>

omak

another thing? When you get a frame, be sure to get a machine for the quilting purpose ... you will not want to be setting up your piecing machine on the quilting frame and then removing it to piece the next quilt .... just too much of a hassle. <wave>

Debra Mc

OMAK, I have the same machine & want that frame. What kind of machine are you thinking of upgrading to? The Babylock Jewel is about $8000.00 I think without frame. Is that what you are thinking of. I really want to be able to do the pretty feather patterns. Is this possible with this machine & frame.

omak

I won't upgrade to a babylock Jewel, even though they do offer it in blue <g> ... For that amount of money, I can have a complete mid-arm and frame with a local dealer through INNOVA ... hubby is looking hard at the Bailey's Home quilting in a bigger size, and with this frame, it is more manageable ... but, then, if you consider what Gammill is doing, price wise, that is an established company that is bringing prices down to my range ...
I absolutely do feathers with this machine ... I don't do a lot of circular patterns where I would have to stop and start and move things ... but, it is doable - - I have watched many do it on different patterns on even the big long arms .... which sort of tells me that it really doesn't matter what size machine you get, you will always want a bigger one <g> - - I think it is a human thing! LOL <wave>

Debra Mc

What is INNOVA? Have heard of it I think. Isn't that Brother. The Bailey is just the machine & it will fit on your frame right. I will be glad to just have the frame. Eddie posted another thread & he got a Gammill without stitch regulator. Said he didn't need it. What are your thoughts?

karenchi

Hi.....I have a grace frame and like it....but most of all I love my Bailey quilting machine. I have a Janome 1600 on it and just did not like the machine. Not enough area to quilt from.
Karen

mar32428

I have a Grace which will take a king size. It's all solid maple wood and steady as a rock. I use my 9" throat Janome. No, it's not a Gammil but I couldn't afford one in the next 100 years so this is fine. The first quilt I did on my machine wrestling it in every direction. I swore (literally) never again. If I had to keep doing a quilt that way, I would never make any more quilts. Talk about frustrating and awkward........... Yes, it has limits but at least it's not hanging over my shoulder or dragging on the floor.

karenchi

I had that Janome and sold it. It was so noisy and no fun struggling with it. I now have the Bailey 15" and absolutely love it. Works great on my Grace frame too.
I'm with you.....I would never be able to afford the Gammill.
It does look nice, but that's all I can do is LOOK...LOL
I know a gal who now has 4 of them.....She does a great business....

jljack

I have a New Joy Gold frame with a BabyLock Quilter's Pro. The one draw back is that the frame construction would not allow using anything other than a domestic machine on it. So, if I decide to upgrade I'll have to buy frame and machine. But I'm happy with what I have right now. It does the job. Sometimes it feels a little confining, but overall it's fine.

mar32428

I've read several references to the Bailey but at am a loss. I don't know this one. Can you fill me in on price etc?